Game toy

ABSTRACT

There is provided a game toy which is an intellectual education tool for infants which is not only a game toy with which a player can capture targets with ease, but also an educational tool which allows two players to have a chance to capture the target alternately, whereby the players can keep their interests, comprising a FIG.  20,  a target tray  13  for storing a plurality of ball-shaped targets  18  lying above the FIG.  20,  a rotating shaft  15  for supporting to rotate the target tray  13,  and a catching portion  14  for hanging the target  18 , wherein the FIG.  20  opens its upper part while being raised by depressing an operating button  11  and closes its upper part for capturing the target  18  while being lowered by releasing the operating button  11  and the target tray  13  is rotated through a predetermined angle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under35 USC 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-165822 filed on Jul.23, 2010, the entire disclosure of which, including the description,claims, drawings, and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game toy as an intellectual educationtool for infants.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there have been proposed toys as educational tools whichutilize building blocks for learning how to add and subtract, forexample, an arithmetic training box having multifunctionality proposedin Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3041323 which is referred toas a Patent Document 1. In addition, Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. H8-206353, which is referred to as a Patent Document 2,proposes a face-to-face game toy of fighting sports or ball games. Withthe game toy, two players face each other with putting the game screenbetween two players at both sides of the toy, one player can watch whatthe other player does, and both players can operate the game toy whilewatching figures which appear in the game screen up close.

However, although the arithmetic training box having multifunctionalityis the educational tool for learning how to add and subtract, since thetool does not have enough fun as a game, infant players cannot play withthe tool continuously with fun. Additionally, in the face-to-face gametoy proposed in the Patent Document 2 described above, when playershaving different skill levels compete, since a player with higher skillis likely to keep his/her edge and to win the game in most cases, aplayer having lower skill is likely to get bored with the game toy tothereby have a difficulty in keeping his/her interest therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent inthe related arts described above. The present invention provides anintellectual education tool for infants which is not only a game toywith which a player can capture a target in a shape representing a ballor the like with ease, but also an educational tool which allows aplayer to learn such as counting the captured targets. In addition,there is provided a game toy which allows two players facing each otherto have a chance to capture the target representing a ball or the likealternately, whereby the players can keep their interests in the gametoy.

The game toy of the present invention is the game toy for capturing atarget whose shape represents a ball or the like by operating anoperating button and the game toy comprises a figure which is raisedwith its upper part opened by the operating button being depressed, atarget tray for storing a plurality of targets whose shapes representthe ball or the like which lies above the figure, a rotating shaft forsupporting to rotate the target tray, and a catching portion for hanginga target which is stored in the target tray, wherein the figure opensits upper part while being raised by the operating button beingdepressed, and closes its upper part to capture the target of thecatching portion while being lowered by the operating button beingreleased, and also the target tray is rotated through a predeterminedangle.

In addition, in the game toy of the present invention, it is preferablethat the figures be made up of two figures which are arrangedsymmetrically on either side of the rotating shaft position andoperating buttons for operating each figure correspondingly areprovided.

Additionally, in the game toy of the invention, it is preferable that inthe event the target is captured by the figure, other target stored inthe target tray move to the catching portions to be hung.

Further, in the game toy of the invention, the catching portions arelocated on three positions on a bottom portion which lie adjacent to aperiphery of the target tray at equal spaces and extend downwardstherefrom. The target tray of the game toy of the invention is designedso as to rotate and stop at a position where one of the catchingportions corresponds to a position right above one of the figures.

In addition, the game toy of the invention includes a target storagetray for storing the target which is captured by the figure.

Furthermore, in the game toy of the invention, it is preferable that thetarget be made in a ball shape with a design drawn on a surfacerepresenting such as a ball, a bun, a hamburger, or a hotdog.

According to the invention as has been described above, there can beprovided an intellectual education tool for infants which is not only agame toy with which a player can capture targets in a shape representinga ball or the like with ease, but also an intellectual education toolwhich allows a player to learn such as counting the captured targets. Inaddition, there can be provided an intellectual education tool as aninteresting game toy which allows two players facing each other to havea chance to capture the target representing a ball or the likealternately.

According to the game toy of the invention, since figures are arrangedsymmetrically on either side of the rotating shaft position, two playerscan compete against each other by operating each of the correspondingfigures for capturing the target, whereby the players can enjoy the gamewith excitement.

Additionally, in the game toy of the invention, in the event that thetarget is captured by the figure, other target stored in the target traymoves to the catching portion to be hung, whereby the game can becontinued without interruption.

According to the game toy of the invention, the target tray is designedso as to rotate and stop at a position where one of the catchingportions corresponds to a position right above one of the figures,whereby two players can enjoy by capturing the target alternately.

According to the game toy of the invention, since a target storage trayis provided thereto, a player can count the number of the capturedtarget with ease.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a design is drawn on a surfaceof the target representing such as a bun, a hamburger, or a hotdog,whereby the game toy can be more realistic race game for the bun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a gametoy according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view showing an internal construction ofthe game toy according to the embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is an explanatory bottom view showing the internal constructionof the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional front view showing a movement of aclutch mechanism of the game toy according to the embodiment of theinvention,

FIG. 5 is an explanatory front view showing the internal construction ofthe game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a statewhere a figure is pre-raised,

FIG. 6 is an explanatory front view showing the internal construction ofthe game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a stateimmediately after the figure is raised,

FIG. 7 is an explanatory front view showing the internal construction ofthe game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a statejust after the figure is lowered from the highest raising position,

FIG. 8 is an explanatory front view showing the internal construction ofthe game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a statewhere the figure is returned to its initial position by being lowered,

FIG. 9 is an explanatory side view showing the internal construction ofthe game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a statewhere a figure is pre-raised, and

FIG. 10 is an explanatory side view showing the internal construction ofthe game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a statejust after the figure is lowered from the highest raising position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment for carrying out the invention willbe described. A game toy 10 of the invention is a game toy 10 as anintellectual education tool which allows two players facing each otherto operate operating buttons provided to the players respectively forplaying the game toy 10. The game toy 10 comprises FIGS. 20 includingtwo figures which are arranged symmetrically on either side of arotating shaft 15 as a center which is positioned in a center of thegame toy 10, wherein each FIG. 20 is raised while opening a mouthportion 21 which represents upper half of a face above a mouth of theFIG. 20 by depressing each operating buttons. Additionally, the game toy10 comprises a target tray 13 which lies above the FIGS. 20 for storinga plurality of targets 18 which represents a ball or the like.

In addition, the game toy 10 comprises a rotating shaft 15 whichsupports the target tray 13 for rotating, target catching portions 14which hang the target 18 stored in the target tray 13, and a targetstorage tray 64 for storing the target 18 which is captured by the FIG.20 in such a manner that the FIG. 20 opens the mouth portion 21 whilebeing raised for holding the target 18 caught by the catching portion14. In the game toy 10, by an operating button 11 being depressed, theFIG. 20 is raised with opening the mouth portion 21, and by theoperating button 11 so depressed is then released, the FIG. 20 islowered with closing the mouth portion 21 and the target tray 13 isrotated through a predetermined angle.

The target catching portions 14 are located on three positions on abottom portion which lie adjacent to a periphery of the target tray 13at equal spaces and extend downwards therefrom. The target tray 13rotates and stops at a position where one of the three target catchingportions 14 corresponds to a position right above one of the FIGS. 20.

When either one of the FIGS. 20 captures the target 18 in such a manneras to hold the target 18 by its mouth, other target 18 stored in thetarget tray 13 moves to the target catching portion 14 to be hung.

Hereinafter, embodiment of the present invention will be described byuse of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a game toy 10of the invention. A game toy 10 shown in the drawing is made for playinga game representing a race for the hung bun which is a race forcapturing a bun by a mouth without using hands. Disposed on left andright sides of the game toy 10 are FIGS. 20 which are configured asdolls of a character which open mouths formed in the upper part of theFIGS. 20 while being raised. Both of these FIGS. 20 are disposed on ahousing 30 which is configured as a pedestal at positions keeping thesame distances from the rotating shaft 15 which is disposed in thecenter of the game toy 10 so as to face each other.

Since the FIGS. 20 on left and right have the same structure and thesame shape, the FIGS. 20 will be described using the same referencenumerals. The housing 30 of the game toy 10 is a rectangular shape with125 mm in depth and 300 mm in width at its upper surface. A longitudinaldirection of the housing 30 is referred to as a left-right direction. Asurface at the front side, shown in FIG. 1, is referred to as a frontsurface and left and right of the front surface are referred to as sidesurfaces. Constructing members of the game toy 10, excluding particularmembers, screws, and the like, are made of hard resin.

Each of the operating buttons 11 for raising the FIG. 20 with openingits mouth portion 21 is disposed to the left and right sides of the gametoy 10, which are back sides of the FIGS. 20 respectively.

The target tray 13 is provided above a center of the game toy 10 forstoring the target 18 which is a spherical configuration made into aball shape or the like which represents a bun used in the race for thebun. For that purpose, the target tray 13 is disposed so as to besupported by the rotating shaft 15 which positions in the center of thegame toy 10.

The spherically shaped target 18 which is stored in the target tray 13passes through any of the three holes provided to a bottom surface ofthe tray at equal spaces to be caught by the target catching portions14. Then the target 18 is held above either of the FIGS. 20 in such amanner that the bun is hung for the race for the bun. The FIGS. 20 areraised with opening the mouth portion 21 when the operating button 11 isdepressed by such as a finger. Then the operating button 11 so depressedis released, and the FIGS. 20 are lowered with capturing the target 18caught by the target catching portion 14 by holding it with the mouthportion 21.

The target 18 so captured passes through the FIG. 20 and comes out froma target guiding portion 63 which is provided at back side of the FIG.20 to outside the FIG. 20. Then the target 18 falls onto a targetconnecting path 32 and is guided to the front surface side of thehousing 30 while rolling on an inclined surface of the target connectingpath 32, thereby falls into a target storage tray 64 to be stored.

The target tray 13 is rotated 60 degrees counterclockwise when viewedfrom above the game toy 10 by depressing and releasing the operatingbutton 11. Three holes are provided to a bottom surface of the targettray 13 which lies adjacent to a periphery thereof at 120 degreeintervals . Therefore, any one of the target catching portions 14 isheld above either of the FIG. 20 during playing the game. Namely, twoplayers facing each other can have a chance to capture the target 18alternately.

Next, an internal construction of the housing 30 in relation to thedepressing and the releasing of the operating button 11 will bedescribed. FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view showing an internalconstruction of the housing 30 of the game toy 10. FIG. 3 is anexplanatory bottom view showing the internal construction of the housing30 of the game toy 10. Note that the housing 30 includes the two samestructures and configurations in the interior thereof on both sides ofthe rotating shaft 15 which is located in the center of the housing 30,and hence, the constructing members on left and right will be describedusing the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the interior of the housing 30 below theoperating buttons 11, rotating members 40 are disposed which perform aseesaw movement for raising and lowering the FIGS. 20. In the game toy10, by the movement of the rotating member 40, depressing the operatingbutton 11 with a finger raises the FIG. 20 and releasing the operatingbutton 11 from the finger lowers the FIG. 20.

A figure spring 39 is disposed in the interior of the each FIG. 20respectively. The figure spring 39 is connected at one end to therotating member 40 and is connected at the other end to a wall in aninterior of a figure pedestal, which is described later, in the interiorof the FIG. 20. The each figure spring 39 biases the raised FIG. 20 todownwards direction.

A rotating pivot 41 is positioned in a center of the each rotatingmember 40 as a pivot of the seesaw movement and is pivotally supportedby a bearing portion which is disposed on an upper surface of theinterior of the housing 30. An operating lever 42 is downward extendedfrom the bottom surface of the each rotating member 40 at a right angleso as to rotate the target tray 13 by the rotating pivot 41 being servedas a base point.

The each operating lever 42 is engaged to an arm connecting portion 43 arespectively which is positioned in a center portion of an arm 43 whichis a driving source of a clutch mechanism which is described later. Theoperating lever 42 swings left and right in conjunction with the seesawmovement of the rotating member 40 for operating the arm 43 laterally.The each arm 43 is connected to arm spring 38 in the interior of thehousing 30 at both sides respectively to be biased to side direction ofthe housing 30. The arm spring 38 is linked to the lateral movement ofthe arm 43 in conjunction with the seesaw movement of the rotatingmember 40. Specifically, when the operating button 11 is depressed, thearm spring 38 is expanded, and when the operating button 11 is released,the arm spring 38 in expanded state is released and returns to itsinitial state.

By the mechanism described above, the arm 43 is moved laterally to adirection of a rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 (hereinafterreferred to as a positive direction) shown in FIG. 3 by the depressingoperation of the operating button 11. An arm U-shaped groove 44 isformed in the each arm 43 in a position in proximity to the rotatingshaft circular disc portion 16 to be fitted to a projection for arm 52provided at a clutch wheel, which is described later. The projection forarm 52 fitted together with the arm U-shaped groove 44 is operated inconjunction with the lateral movement of the arm 43 to the positivedirection.

The arm 43 so operated to the positive direction is biased by the armspring 38 to the side surface direction of the housing 30 (hereinafterreferred to as a negative direction) to be returned to its initial stateby the release of the operating button 11 . The projection for arm 52fitted together with the arm U-shaped groove 44 is operated inconjunction with the lateral movement of the arm 43 to the negativedirection.

A clutch mechanism for rotating the rotating shaft circular disc portion16 in one direction, which is described later, is realized by themovements of positive and negative directions of the arms 43 forrotating the target tray 13.

The rotating shaft 15 which is integrated with the target tray 13disposed in a top portion of the game toy 10 is rotatably inserted fromthe upper surface into the inside in a center of the housing 30 as shownin FIG. 2. The lower end of the rotating shaft 15 is integrated with therotating shaft circular disc portion 16 at a bottom of the inside of thehousing 30.

A circular disc of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 is formedlarger in diameter than outside diameter of the rotating shaft 15. Asshown in FIG. 3, disposed on an upper surface of the rotating shaftcircular disc portion 16 are six clutch projections 17 equally at 60degree intervals in proximity to a periphery of the circular disc. Ahole is provided on a center of a bottom surface of the rotating shaftcircular disc portion 16 for supporting a projection which is providedto a bottom surface of the inside of the housing 30.

Next, the clutch mechanism for rotating the target tray 13 in onedirection by depressing and releasing the operation button 11 will bedescribed in detail. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional front view showinga series of operations of the clutch mechanism which is positioned at acenter bottom portion in the interior of the housing 30 of the game toy10.

The clutch mechanism is made up of the arm 43 which is a driving sourceand includes the arm U-shaped groove 44, a clutch wheel 50 which isrotated by the projection for arm 52 which is fitted into the armU-shaped groove 44 by the positive direction (illustrated left-pointingarrow) movement of the arm 43 shown in FIG. 4 (a) , and the rotatingshaft circular disc portion 16 which includes clutch projections 17 tobe rotated in one direction by being meshed with clutch teeth 51 of theclutch wheel 50.

The rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 is, as described above,formed integrated with the target tray 13 which positions at a topportion of the game toy 10 and with the rotating shaft 15 which supportsthe target tray 13 by being integrated therewith at the bottom portionof the game toy 10. The rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 isformed into a circular disc shape and includes the clutch projections 17for meshing with the clutch teeth 51 of the clutch wheel 50 in onedirection on a surface of a side thereof which faces the clutch wheel 50side. The clutch projections are formed into a circular cylinder shapeand six of the clutch projections are disposed at 60 degrees equally soas to form a circumference.

The clutch wheel 50 is formed into a circular disc shape, has superiorabrasion resistance, has low friction coefficient, is made ofthermoplastic resin having elasticity, and is disposed by a holeprovided in a center thereof for the rotating shaft 15 to be rotatablyinserted thereinto. The six clutch teeth 51 are disposed at 60 degreesequally so as to form a circumference on a surface side of the clutchwheel 50 which faces the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 side,shown in FIG. 4, for meshing with the clutch projections 17 of therotating shaft circular disc portion 16 in one direction. Each of theclutch teeth 51 is made into a tapered shape which is a rectangularparallelepiped with one side thereof being made into a gently inclinedplane.

As shown in FIG. 3, the projections for arm 52 are disposed on an uppersurface of the clutch wheel 50 to be fitted together with the armU-shaped grooves 44 which are formed in the each arm 43. The projectionsfor arm 52 are formed into a circular cylinder shape and two projectionsfor arm 52 are disposed in symmetrical positions about the rotatingshaft 15 as a center in such a manner as to be fitted together with thearm. U-shaped grooves 44 formed in the both arms 43 respectively. Theclutch wheel 50 is enabled to convert the lateral movement of the arm 43into a movement of a rotational direction by being configured as arotating member.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the clutch mechanism rotates the projection forarm 52 fitted together with the arm U-shaped groove 44 when theoperating button 11 is depressed for moving the arm 43 to the positivedirection (illustrated left-pointing arrow). That is, the rotation ofthe projection for arm 52 rotates the clutch wheel 50 clockwise(hereinafter referred to as a positive rotation) 60 degrees about therotating shaft 15 as the center viewed from above the game toy 10.

By the 60 degree positive rotation of the clutch wheel 50, the sixclutch teeth 51 of the clutch wheel 50 are rotated in the positivedirection around the rotating shaft 15 as a center. Each clutch tooth 51rotates in the positive direction in such a manner that the inclinedplane of the tapered portion of the each clutch teeth 51 contacts withthe each clutch projection 17 of the rotating shaft circular discportion 16 which is positioned underneath the clutch wheel 50, as shownin FIG. 4 (b).

Note that static friction force of the rotating shaft circular discportion 16 is large since the target tray 13 and the rotating shaft 15are integrated therewith. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when theeach clutch teeth 51 rotates in the positive direction with a conditionthat the inclined plane of the each clutch teeth 51 contacts with a sidesurface of the circular cylinder of the each clutch projection 17disposed on the rotating circular disc portion 16, the each clutchprojection 17 maintains its stationary position, whereby the rotatingshaft circular disc portion 16 does not rotate in the positivedirection.

The clutch wheel 50 is made of a material which has superior abrasionresistance, low friction coefficient, and resilience. By thecharacteristics of the material of the clutch wheel 50, when the eachclutch teeth 51 contacts with the each clutch projection 17, the clutchwheel 50 only rotates in the positive direction while releasing acontact pressure between the clutch tooth 51 and the clutch projections17 by deforming its shape, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), without the rotatingshaft circular disc portion 16 having the clutch projections 17 beingrotated.

With the mechanism described herein, while the clutch wheel 50 rotates60 degrees in the positive direction, the clutch projections 17 of therotating shaft circular disc portion 16 does not rotate in the positivedirection, and hence, does not change their positions. Morespecifically, the gentle inclined plane of the each clutch teeth 51rotating in the positive direction passes over the unmoving each clutchprojection 17 and the clutch wheel 50 stops rotating at a position wherea wall portion of the each clutch teeth 51 contacts with the each clutchprojection 17.

Meanwhile, when the depressed button is released from the finger, asshown in FIG. 4 (c), the arm 43 moves to the negative direction(illustrated right-pointing arrow). The clutch mechanism rotates theprojection for arm 52 of the clutch wheel 50 fitted together with thearm U-shaped groove 44 when the operating button 11 is released formoving the arm 43 to the negative direction. That is, the rotation ofthe projection for arm 52 rotates the clutch wheel 50 counterclockwise(hereinafter referred to as a negative rotation) 60 degrees about therotating shaft 15 as the center viewed from above the game toy 10.

By a 60 degree negative rotation of the clutch wheel 50, the six clutchteeth 51 of the clutch wheel 50 make the negative rotation around therotating shaft 15 as a center. In the clutch tooth 51 which make thenegative rotation, the wall portions thereof mesh with the clutchprojections 17.

A rotation power of the clutch wheel 50 in the negative rotation istransmitted to the clutch projections 17 of the rotating shaft circulardisc portion 16, whereby the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16makes the negative rotation about the rotating shaft 15 as a center. Bythis configuration, the target tray 13 which is integrated with therotating shaft circular disc portion 16 is rotated 60 degreescounterclockwise when viewed from thereabove.

The clutch mechanism works the same way in operations of both left andright arms 43. When either of the left and right arms 43 moves in thepositive direction, the clutch wheel 50 is rotated 60 degrees in thepositive rotation, whereby the two projections for arm 52 which areformed on the clutch wheel 50 makes the positive rotation about therotating shaft 15 as a center.

When the two projections for arm 52 rotate, the each of the left andright arms 43 is moved which forms therein the arm U-shaped groove 44 tobe fitted together with the each projection for arm 52. Therefore, byeither of the left or right operating buttons 11 being depressed andwhereby one of the arms 43 concerned is moved in the positive direction,the other arm 43 is also moved in the positive direction.

Namely, each of the arms 43 moves in the positive direction by either ofthe left or right operating button 11 being depressed. The each arm 43moves in the positive direction when the operating button 11 isdepressed and moves in the negative direction when the operating buttonso depressed is released. Therefore, if one of the operating buttons iskept depressed while the other button is released after both the buttonsare depressed, both arms 43 are kept the moved state in the positivedirection.

By making such a configuration, in the game toy 10, the release of theonly one operating button, after both operating buttons 11 are depressedby two competing players, does not rotate the target tray 13. That is,in the game toy 10, by both the operating buttons 11 being released bythe players, the target tray 13 is rotated 60 degrees counterclockwise.

Next, an internal construction of the FIG. 20 will be described byreferring to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 5 to 8 are explanatoryfront views showing a series of raising and lowering movements of theFIG. 20 with showing an internal construction thereof. FIGS. 9 and 10are explanatory side views showing raising and lowering movements of theFIG. 20 and simultaneously showing the internal construction thereof.

The FIG. 20 is made up of, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, a front bodyportion 25, a rear body portion 26, a mouth portion 21 having a mouthopening lever 22, a mouth opening/closing spring 29, a movable armportion 27, a movable leg portion 28, a figure pedestal 24, and a cape65. The FIG. 20 includes in an inside thereof an up/down moving member23 which is supported by the rotating member 40 which performs a seesawmovement for raising and lowering the FIG. 20.

The front body portion 25 is a member for forming a front surface of amain body of the FIG. 20. The front body portion 25 forms a frontsurface of the body and lower jaw portion excluding arms and legs of theFIG. 20 which is formed into a shape representing the figure beinglooking up. The mouth opening/closing spring 29 is provided to aninterior of the front body portion 25 at a portion representing anabdomen to be moved in response to the movement of the up/down movingmember 23 and for biasing the mouth portion 21 to a closing side. Themouth opening/closing spring 29 is caught together with the interior ofthe abdomen of the front body portion 25 at its one end, and is caughttogether with an upper portion of the up/down moving member 23 on a sidewhich faces the inside of the front body portion 25 at the other end.

The rear body portion 26 is a member for forming a rear surface of amain body of the FIG. 20. The rear body portion 26 forms a rear surfaceof the body excluding the arms and the legs. A target guiding portion 63is formed in a center of the rear body portion 26, which is a hole forguiding the target 18, which is described later, to outside of the FIG.20.

A lower end of the up/down moving member 23 is formed into rod-shapedand is supported by the rotating member 40. An upper end of the up/downmoving member 23 is formed plate-shaped and is connected to the insideof the abdomen of the front body portion 25 via the mouthopening/closing spring 29 in the interior of the FIG. 20. The up/downmoving member 23 includes an engaging portion 62 on an upper portionthereof which engages with a mouth opening lever 22 for opening themouth portion 21, which is described later.

The mouth portion 21 is formed on an upper portion of the FIG. 20 forrepresenting a face portion of FIG. 20 excluding the lower jaw portion.The mouth portion 21 includes a mouth opening lever 22 for opening andclosing the mouth portion on a portion which corresponds to a neckportion below an ear portion of the FIG. 20. Here, an opening andclosing mechanism of the mouth portion 21 will be described. The mouthopening lever 22 is engaged with the engaging portion 62 which positionson an upper portion of the up/down moving member 23. As shown in FIG. 6,at the beginning of the moving up movement of the FIG. 20, the engagingportion 62 goes up slightly for moving the mouth opening lever 22 toupwards which is an opening side to thereby open the mouth portion 21.

As shown in FIG. 7, at the beginning of the lowering movement of theup/down moving member 23, the engaging portion 62 is lowered slightlyfor moving the mouth opening lever 22 by biasing of the mouthopening/closing spring 29 to downwards which is a closing side tothereby close the mouth portion 21.

The front body portion 25 and the rear body portion 26 form a hollowbody of the FIG. 20. In the inside of the FIG. 20, a figure pedestal 24is disposed which is hollow and fixed on an upper surface of the housing30, which is described later. Further, the up/down moving member 23 tobe raised and lowered is disposed in the figure pedestal 24.

Movable arm portions 27 form portions representing left and right armson both sides of the FIG. 20, as shown in FIG. 9. The movable armportions 27 are formed in such a way as to be embedded between the rearbody portion 26 and the front body portion 25. In the movable armportions 27, portions on the periphery of side portions of the movablearm portions 27 engage with upper engaging projections 61 and flat endportions on peripheries of the upper engaging portions 61 which areprovided to the figure pedestal 24, which is described later, to therebyperform a motion of extending both arms while the up/down moving member23 is raised.

Movable leg portions 28 are formed into portions representing left andright legs on both sides of the FIG. 20, and are formed in such a way asto be embedded between the rear body portion 26 and the front bodyportion 25. In the movable leg portions 28, inside ankle portions of themovable leg portions 28 engage with lower engaging profections 61 andflat end portions on peripheries of the lower engaging portions 61 whichare provided to the figure pedestal 24, which is described later, tothereby perform a motion of opening and closing both legs while theup/down moving member 23 is raised.

The figure pedestals 24 are disposed on the upper surface of the housing30 of the game toy 10 by means of screws or the like for connecting. TheFIGS. 20 are disposed in predetermined positions by the figure pedestals24. A lower portion of the figure pedestals 24 is a circular disc shapeand the upper portion thereof is a rod shape to be inserted movably frombetween the legs into the inside of the FIG. 20.

The engaging projections 61 and the flat end portions on peripheries ofthe engaging portions 61 described above are provided on the upperportion of the figure pedestal 24. The engaging projections 61 and theflat end portions on peripheries of the engaging portions 61 interferethe portions on the periphery of side portions of the movable armportions 27 and a peripheries of the inside ankle portions of themovable leg portions 28, whereby the movable arm portions 27 extend botharms thereof and the movable leg portions 28 open and close both legsthereof while the FIG. 20 is raised.

A cape 65 is formed at a position extending from a neck portion to aback portion of the FIG. 20 as an ornamental. The cape 65 is a part of aguiding portion which guides the target 18 to a predetermined positionwhere is outside the FIG. 20 in conjunction with a target guidingportion 63 which is formed on the rear body portion 26.

A series of up and down movements of the FIG. 20 in the game toy 10 willbe described by referring to the accompanying FIGS. 5 to 10. The FIG. 20in the game toy 10 is in an initial state, as shown in FIG. 5, providedthe operating button 11 is not depressed. The FIG. 20 closes the mouthportion 21 in the initial state.

The game toy 10 is brought to a beginning state of the FIG. 20 beingraised, as shown in FIG. 6, just after the operating button 11 isdepressed by a player. The FIG. 20 opens the mouth portion 21 first atthe beginning state of being raised. Specifically, by the operatingbutton being depressed, the rotating member 40 performs a seesawmovement to a direction which raises the FIG. 20, whereby the up/downmoving member 23 is raised which is supported by the rotating member 40.In the FIG. 20, when the up/down moving member 23 is raised slightly,the mouth opening/closing spring 29 which is connected to the up/downmoving member 23 is expanded and simultaneously the mouth opening lever22 is moved to an opening side by the engaging portion 62 of the up/downmoving member 23, whereby the mouth portion 21 is opened.

When the operating button 11 is depressed further to bottom by theplayer, the up/down moving member 23 is raised higher to thereby supportthe front body portion 25, whereby the FIG. 20 is brought into a highestraising state where the main body of the FIG. 20 is raised to a highestposition.

In the highest raising state, the FIG. 20 attains a height at which themouth portion 21 is enabled to hold the target 18 which is hung by thetarget catching portion 14 of the target tray 13. The player releasesthe operating button 11 in the highest raising state, whereby the FIG.20 is brought into a beginning state of mouth closing, as shown in FIG.7.

Specifically, right after the operating button being released, in theinterior of the housing 30, the rotating member 40 performs a seesawmovement to a direction which makes the FIG. 20 to be lowered, wherebythe up/down moving member 23 which is supported by the rotating member40 is lowered. In the FIG. 20, when the up/down moving member 23 islowered slightly, the mouth opening/closing spring 29 which is connectedto the up/down moving member 23 constracts and simultaneously the mouthopening lever 22 is moved to a closing side by the engaging portion 62of the up/down moving member 23, whereby the mouth portion 21 is closed.

By closing the mouth portion 21 of the FIG. 20, the target 18 which ishung by the target catching portion 14 is interfered to thereby becaused to fall. The target 18 so fell is, as shown in FIG. 7, conveyedinto an interior of the FIG. 20.

The FIG. 20 goes back to its initial position when the up/down movingmember 23 is further lowered by a returning motion of the figure spring39.

In the FIG. 20 which is back to the initial position, as shown in FIG.8, the target 18 so conveyed into the interior of the FIG. 20 is guidedthrough the hole of the target guiding portion 63 which is positioned ina center of the rear body portion 26 to the outside thereof, then iscaused to fall onto the target connecting path 32 which positions alower portion.

With the mechanism in the game toy 10 heretofore described, each playermakes the FIG. 20 up and down to thereby capture the target 18.

Next, a mechanism for catching the target 18 of the game toy 10 will bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 1 or 10, the target catching portion 14catches the target 18 in such a manner as to hang it which is stored inthe target tray 13 in advance when the target 18 passes through a holeof the target tray 13, not shown, and subsequently falls.

The target catching portions 14 are provided to three positions at 120degree intervals about the rotating shaft 15 as a center. The targetcatching portion 14 is a thin plate material which is made ofthermoplastic resin having resilience so that the target catchingportion 14 is enabled to catch the target 18 and simultaneously to dropthe target 18 when a small amount of force is exerted thereon. An insideof a distal end of the target catching portion 14 is formed into twohook shaped portions so as to pick the target 18 by the two hooks. Sincethe target catching portion 14 is thin, low strength, and exposed tooutside, a protection cover or the like is provided to a periphery ofthe target catching portion 14 in such a manner as to not obstruct thefall of the target 18 to thereby be protected from external pressure.

As described previously, the depressing/releasing operation of theoperating button 11 causes the target tray 13 to be rotated 60 degreesper each operation. By the configuration, the target catching portion 14is disposed above either of the left or right FIGS. 20. By a pluralityof spherically shaped targets 18 being stored in the target tray 13, theplurality of spherically shaped targets 18 is guided to be disposed at alower end of the target catching portion 14 sequentially by the rotationof the target tray 13 every time the target 18 is captured by the FIG.20.

Next, a target storage tray 64 for storing the captured target 18 willbe described. As shown in FIG. 1 or 10, the target storage tray 64 isprovided at the front surface of the game toy 10.

As described previously, the FIG. 20 is raised with opening the mouthportion 21, releases the target 18 from the hooks of the target catchingportion 14 by closing the mouth portion 21 at the highest raising stateand being lowered for conveying the target 18 into the mouth portion 21.The conveyed target 18 passes through the interior of the FIG. 20, viathe target guiding portion 63 which positions in substantially a centerof the rear body portion 26 of the FIG. 20, and falls onto the targetconnecting path 32 which is provided on the upper surface of the housing30.

The target 18 so fell rolls down the road surface of the targetconnecting path 32 which is formed inclined, and then the target 18 isstored in the target storage tray 64. That is, the target storage tray64 is a tray for storing the captured target 18. By forming the targetstorage tray 64 into shallow in depth so as to allow the player to seethe inside thereof, and/or providing indexes such as “one, two, three, .. . ” on a brim of the inside surface, counting the captured targets 18is facilitated.

As described heretofore, the game toy 10 according to the presentinvention is not only a game toy with which a player can capture atarget in a shape representing a ball or the like with ease, but also aneducational tool which allows a player to learn such as counting thecaptured targets. In addition, there can be provided an intellectualeducation tool as a game toy 10 which allows two players facing eachother to have a chance to capture the target 18 alternately, whereby theplayers can keep their interests therein.

According to the game toy 10 of the invention, since FIGS. 20 arearranged symmetrically on either side of the position of the rotatingshaft 15 as a center, two players can compete against each other byoperating each of the corresponding FIGS. 20 for capturing the target18, whereby the players can enjoy the game with excitement.

Additionally, in the game toy 10 of the invention, in the event thetarget 18 is captured by the FIG. 20, other target 18 stored in thetarget tray 13 moves to the catching portion to be hung, whereby thegame can be continued without interruption.

According to the game toy 10 of the invention, the target tray 13 isdesigned so as to rotate and stop at a position where one of the targetcatching portions 14 corresponds to a position right above one of theFIGS. 20, whereby two players can enjoy by capturing the target 18alternately.

Furthermore, according to the game toy 10 of the invention, since thetarget storage tray 64 is provided thereto for storing the capturedtarget 18, the player can count the number of the captured target 18with ease.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment that has been describedabove, and hence, the invention can be modified variously withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. In the embodiment above,the game toy 10 with applying a ball as a target 18 is described.However, by drawing a picture on a surface of the target 18 representingsuch as a bun, a hamburger, or a hotdog, the game toy 10 can be morerealistic race game for the bun.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described heretofore, the game toy 10 according to the presentinvention is not only a game toy with which a player can capture atarget in a shape representing a ball or the like with ease, but also aneducational tool which allows a player to learn such as counting thecaptured targets. There can be provided an intellectual education toolas a game toy 10 which allows two players facing each other to have achance to capture the target 18 alternately, whereby the players cankeep their interests therein.

1. A game toy for capturing a target whose shape represents a ball orthe like by operating at least one operating button, comprising: atleast one figure which opens its upper part while being raised by theoperating button being depressed; a target tray for storing a pluralityof the target whose shapes represent the ball or the like which liesabove the figure; a rotating shaft for supporting to rotate the targettray; and at least one catching portion for hanging one of the pluralityof targets stored in the target tray, and wherein by the operatingbutton being depressed, the figure opens its upper part while beingraised and by the operating button being released, the figure closes itsupper part to capture the target of the catching portion while beinglowered and also the target tray is rotated through a predeterminedangle.
 2. The game toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the figurescomprise two figures which are arranged symmetrically on either side ofthe rotating shaft position as a center and two of the operating buttonsare provided for operating each figure respectively.
 3. The game toy asset forth in claim 2, wherein when one of the plurality of targets iscaptured by the figure, other target stored in the target tray moves tothe catching portion to thereby be hung.
 4. The game toy as set forth inclaim 2, wherein the catching portions are each located on threepositions respectively on a bottom portion of the target tray which lieadjacent to a periphery thereof at equal spaces and extend downwardstherefrom, and the target tray is designed so as to rotate and stop at aposition where one of the catching portions corresponds to a positionright above one of the figures.
 5. The game toy as set forth in claim 3,wherein the catching portions are each located on three positionsrespectively on a bottom portion of the target tray which lie adjacentto a periphery thereof at equal spaces and extend downwards therefrom,and the target tray is designed so as to rotate and stop at a positionwhere one of the catching portions corresponds to a position right aboveone of the figures.
 6. The game toy as set forth in claim 2, wherein thegame toy further comprises a target storage tray for storing the targetcaptured by the figures.
 7. The game toy as set forth in claim 3,wherein the game toy further comprises a target storage tray for storingthe target captured by the figures.
 8. The game toy as set forth inclaim 4, wherein the game toy further comprises a target storage trayfor storing the target captured by the figures.
 9. The game toy as setforth in claim 5, wherein the game toy further comprises a targetstorage tray for storing the target captured by the figures.
 10. Thegame toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the target is made into a ballshape with a design drawn on a surface thereof representing such as aball, a bun, a hamburger, or a hotdog.